Those That Came Before

Ol' Dance Floor

The music wafted from the speakers, reaching the large dance floor situated to the left of the bar. Empty beer bottles clinking as they hit the bins the bartenders threw them in. 

"C'mon. Let's go make our rounds for old times sake." Blair linked her arm with Hadley's and directed her toward the outskirts of the dance floor. Kolby followed Brantley as they found some empty bar stools at the corner of the bar. Kolby ordered a beer as he pulled up his seat. 

"Water for you?" The bartender asked, gesturing toward Brantley with an empty napkin down on the bar top. 

"Yes, ma'am." He smiled from under the brim of his baseball cap. 

She placed an ice water on the napkin and tended to the other patrons that had gathered. He took a swig, surveying the room as he did. His bright green eyes landed on Hadley and Blair standing by a group of girls in the corner by the bathroom. They were all laughing and chatting, catching up from not seeing one another in a very long while. Blair, all dressed up in a short black dress and cowboy boots. Her hair straightened and gold hoops dangling. More glitter on her eyes and body than in a kindergarten class. Hadley in a pair of dark wash jeans, a plain white tee tucked in in the front to show off a small belt buckle. Brown cowboy boots  and simple jewelry. Everything showcasing her natural beauty. 

"Dude, did you hear me?" Kolby waved his left hand in front of Brantley's face, grabbing his attention back. 

"Huh?" Brantley looked up at his brother, his head clearly somewhere else. 

"I asked if you wanted to go over by the girls. You alright, man?" Kolby took a sip of his beer, placing the nearly empty bottle on the bar. The bartender came over and replaced it with a fresh, cold one. 

"Yeah, yeah I'm good. Uh, sure." Brantley nodded his head. He stood up from his black padded stool and made his way over to where Blair and Hadley had been, stopping every so often to say hi to a few people. 

"Sorry to interrupt girls, but there is a slow song on and we have to kidnap these girls to spin them around this ol' dance floor." Kolby announced, placing his hand on Hadley's shoulder. Hadley looked up at him, raising her eyebrows. Kolby chuckled and led her to the dance floor, spinning her once before placing an arm around her back and holding her right hand softly in his. 

Brantley watched for a moment before Blair cleared her throat. He turned to look at her and nodded, leading her over as well. He placed both hands around Blair, settling on her lower back as she swung her arms around his neck. 

"Pretend you want me for like five minutes?" Blair whispered in his ear, laying her head against his chest. 

Brantley closed his eyes, trying not to get all fired up at that comment. He did love her. He did want her. But she didn't make it very easy. They swayed to the music coming from the speakers at each corner of the huge dance floor. Couples crowded around mimicking them. His eyes wandered to Kolby spinning Hadley, her laughs cutting through the loud music. Kolby moved them closer, stopping. 

"May I cut in?" He inquired, offering up a hand to Blair. She happily obliged, leaving Brantley and Hadley to stand there in the middle of everyone

"I think I am going to get a drink." Hadley gestured toward the bar with her thumb. 

Brantley sighed. He reached for her arm as she was walking away, pulling her back. He placed his hands respectfully on her back. Hadley seized up for a moment before relaxing in his embrace. They swayed back and forth to the words of Dan + Shay. 

Brantley peered over at Kolby, his hands getting a little too friendly on his wife. Hadley noticed, biting her lip. This was going on far too long. 

"Brantley, I need to tell you something."